Jason Campbell Q&A

The text of an interview with Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell on 106.7 The Fan in Washington D.C., courtesy of Sports Radio Interviews.com:

Q: On what it’s been like being a part of the Raiders organization:

Campbell: You know, when I first got here, their main thing that they was preaching was just winning. Everybody was just like winning everyday, it was winning. They’re trying to change the mindset and getting back to winning. And like you said, in 2002 they were in the Super Bowl and got beat, and the year before that they got beat in the AFC Championship Game when Brady got the ball knocked out and they didn’t get the ball, they gave the ball to the Patriots, and the Patriots ended up going to the Super Bowl and winning it that year.

So they’re just talking about trying to get back to the winning ways and the work ethic has been outstanding since I’ve been here. Just watching the way they work this offseason, all the guys showed up this offseason, everybody was working out, trying to push each other to get better. Nobody complained about how hard we were working or what we were doing. They all understand what it takes to win and that’s what we’ve got to do. They’ve been preaching that the last seven years and it’s been a losing season for them. And this year they want to make a change.”

Q: On the optimism in Oakland now that they seemingly have some stability at the quarterback position:

Campbell: Yeah they’ve got a lot of talent. The one thing I noticed when I first got here is speed. They can run from top to bottom. That’s the thing Al Davis is going to have a lot of is big guys and a lot of guys with speed. And I think the guy who has made the biggest improvement this offseason is Heyward-Bey. He’s already fast, but his route running in OTAs and at mini-camp has improved dramatically, and catching the football also.

I think you have to credit some of that to Hue Jackson, the offensive coordinator who came over from the Baltimore Ravens last year and is with us again this year. He pushes an uptempo practice, he pushes guys to a whole another level. Of course we have a lot of other young wide receivers, but they’re talented, they’re big, and they’re fast. And then on defense, they’ve been carrying the team for years, so it gives me a whole lot of confidence to be here and be a part of something like this, and definitely if we can turn it around and get back to winning ways it will mean a lot.”

Q: On if he spends much time thinking about the Redskins, particularly the fact about how they invested in the offensive line after he left:

Campbell: You know, I saw a couple of things that was moved and you know, it frustrated me a little bit. But to a point where I was like, I’ve already moved on, I’m with a new team, another opportunity, and I’ve just got to look forward to the future out here. I can’t dwell on the past and wish things would have been different or could have been done differently. But you see all the moves that they’re making, it just goes to show you the important part of the game that’s needed in order to be successful week in and week out. That’s what they’re trying to do. They’re adding depth along the offensive line, they’re trying to get some guys in there to try to sustain a 16 game season, especially in the NFC East where everything is built and done in the trenches.

Q: On Albert Haynesworth and how he thinks that will sort itself out at the start of camp:

Campbell: First of all if he showed up to camp 30 pounds lighter, that would be good for him, but in a team sport like that it’s going to mean a lot more that that when he shows up. There’s going to be a heart to heart I’m sure between him and his teammates and especially the guys that have been there all offseason putting in all the effort to try to turn things around. So I’m pretty sure him showing up 30 pounds lighter will be good for him, but there’s still going to be some heart to heart conversations that need to go on, and they’re going to have to move past it pretty quick and get over it in training camp and move forward.

But of course everybody would like for him to be there because of the chemistry of the team. Chemistry is not something that happens over night and something that happens in a week’s time. Chemistry comes from spending time together on the field. A guy doesn’t have to know what a coach is calling at certain times during the game because he can get a feel from the guy he’s playing beside because he knows him so well. But if you’re not getting those reps together, it’s hard to get a feel for one another.

especially in the NFC East where everything is built and done in the trenches.

***

it obviously hasn’t been that way in Oakland the last 7 years!

RaiderRockstar

I think the guy who has made the biggest improvement this offseason is Heyward-Bey. He’s already fast, but his route running in OTAs and at mini-camp has improved dramatically, and catching the football also.

if campbell can get us back to winning 10-11 games a year, he’ll go down as one of, if not the most, popular raider QBs ever. nothing against campbell, but the memories of aaron brooks, dante culpepper, and kerry collins are still too fresh to feel very confident about JC.

Violent Hands

the new playbook Jackson brings is not so vanilla as last season and the offence compared to last season are way ahead and definately more confident in what their doing but can Jackson call the right plays at the right time? he failed miserably at it twice before,Jackson`s best assets are motivational not calling calls

HairyBush

yo

Just Fire Baby

Chemistry is not something that happens over night and something that happens in a week’s time. Chemistry comes from spending time together on the field.

***********************************

Interesting point.

So can we not expect any “chemistry” the first couple of weeks?

aig

So long as our QB is not on cough syrup then I think we will be ok this season.

http://tada Florida Pete

we are looking at a new raiders team arising before our very eyes…

i’m drinking it in…

uh… could you hit that with some more Jimmy Beam please???

HairyBush

I like Jason Campbell, but he needs to get his facts straight!

Thec07

Hue Jack has to be an improvement over cable…
I wanted cable fired last year for his “so called” play calling.

Just Fire Baby

Our defense has been carrying us for years!!!

Man I never would have known it.

Thec07

Just Fire Baby Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Our defense has been carrying us for years!!!

Man I never would have known it.

+++++++++++++++++++

PC talk for saying our offense was not that good…

Kirk

I think it’s great the Hugh Jackmam has taken over the offense.

He was really good in Wolverine.

fat kidd

Edgerrin James open to playing in “the right situation”
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 26, 2010 3:49 PM ET
Edgerrin James is about to turn 32, and he’s coming off a season in which he averaged 2.7 yards a carry. But he says that if a team out there is looking for a veteran running back, he’s available.

“Now I’m healthy,” James said today at his youth football camp. “If the right situation presents itself, I’ll be playing.”

James says he’s not going out of his way trying to convince a team to sign him, but he does think NFL teams should keep him in mind.

“You never search,” James said. “You don’t have to search. My resume is out there. The one thing about me is you know what you’re going to get.”

James isn’t the runner he once was — he hasn’t averaged even 4.0 yards a carry in any season since he was with the Colts in 2005. But he still thinks he has the skills to contribute to an NFL offense. I”ve got raider speed.Hint?

“I’ve always been one of the best pass protectors out there,” James said. “I know I can block and I can help protect those $20 million a year quarterbacks

SoCalSwamee

I don’t care if Campbell holds on to the ball to long as long as he don’t fumble it away like Russell did every other sack or snap. HUGE upgrade at QB and our young fast receivers has me kinda excited! Health will be a major issue but 8-8 is looking attainable. See You in Phoenix Raiders. Don’t let me down(again)

MiamiBornRaider86

Jason Campbell said the Raiders lost to the Patriots in the AFC conference championship…
Um.. HELLO! that was the Divisional game. the patriots cheated us out of a trip to Pittsburgh to whoop Tommy Maddox’s Steelers to go whoop the Rams in the SB.. “/
i hope Jamarcus’s loser ass never plays another snap in the NFL.. that guy is pitiful..